Adding 'back'

For talking about returning to a place, 'regresar' and 'volver' mean the same thing and you can almost always use either one. 'Volver' is a bit more common in everyday chat in Spain, while 'regresar' is very popular in Latin America.

Regresar vs. Volver

Use this meaning when a person, animal, or object is physically moving back to a location where it was before.

For People and Things Moving

Extremely common. One of the first verbs you'll learn for talking about movement.

Using 'volver' for items

When talking about returning an object, 'devolver' is often the more specific and common choice. Think of 'devolver' as the expert verb for this job, but 'regresar' also works and is widely understood.

Regresar vs. Devolver (for items)

This meaning always involves giving an object back to a person or place. If you just say 'Yo regreso,' people will assume you are going back somewhere, not that you are returning an item.

Action on an Object

Very common when talking about shopping, borrowing things, or giving something back.

Learn the complete meaning of the Spanish verb 'regresar'. See full conjugations, example sentences for returning to a place and returning an item, and discover the difference between 'regresar', 'volver', and 'devolver'.

regresar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

preterite

imperfect

future

conditional

subjunctive

present

imperfect

imperative

affirmative

negative

Practice Conjugations